Public Statements

Press Release

Today , Lt. Governor David Dewhurst blasted leaders in Washington for passage of H.R. 1586 by the U.S. House of Representatives:

"This constitutionally flawed bill is a blatant attempt to undercut Texas and control our state budget from Washington. It not only shortchanges Texas school children by withholding more than $820 million, it also cheats Texas taxpayers by saddling them with ever increasing federal spending and unprecedented national debt."

"Leaders in Washington are once again singling out Texas for partisan political gain. Last year, all available federal stimulus funds designated for public education were appropriated for public education by the Texas Legislature, and were approved by the U.S. Secretary of Education. By mainitaining our conservative fiscal policies, Texas will to continue to balance our state budget, a concept that Washington, D.C. can't seem to grasp."

Because Texas taxpayers must help repay the cost of this federal funding package, Lt. Governor Dewhurst is calling on the federal government to cut the strings created by this punitive language and provide Texas the same access to these funds, as every other state in the country. At the same time, Lt. Governor Dewhurst has asked the Texas Attorney General's Office to explore all legal options to ensure Texas is treated fairly in this process and these funds are allocated appropriately to public schoolchildren and teachers.